Barnes&Noble interview
Feb. 29th, 2004 10:05 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
foxmonkeyBarnes&Noble interview. On the longish side, and complimentary to the album. Some of this will sound familiar - it's from the mass discussion with journalists. Lots of it aren't familiar, however.
From barnesandnoble.com
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
Following J.T.'s Lead, 'N Sync's J.C. Chasez Goes Solo
His fellow boy band buddy Justin Timberlake has moved on to greener pastures with his Grammy-winning solo debut, Justified. Now 'N Sync's equally soulful second banana, J. C. Chasez, steps into the spotlight with the surprisingly eclectic and freaky Schizophrenic, which boasts production by Dallas Austin, Rockwilder, and the Basement Jaxx. Prior to disc's release, the 27-year-old pop star discussed the album, his take on the Janet-Justin controversy, the future of 'N Sync, and more during a round-table discussion with journalists.
Question: What's the significance of the album's title?
JC Chasez: I didn't have a title for the record before I'd finished it. After I put this collection of material together, I had to sit back and figure out how all of it fit together. When I was thinking about it, it was like every song has its own life, its own personality, and they're really different from each other. And whenever you hear about people with schizophrenia, that's just what it is. They have two totally different personalities. So that's how the title came about.
Q: How is Schizophrenic different from 'N Sync's albums, and when will the group reunite?
JC: This record is just a whole different animal. When you're dealing with 'N Sync, you're dealing with a group vision, a collaboration. So there's always compromise involved in that, and this is just an uncompromising effort on my part on making a record. It sounds totally different than what an 'N Sync record would sound like. The other part is, the guys and I are always talking, and we talked about a timeline and when we're going to start being creative. Some time in the late spring we'll start passing ideas back and forth.
Q: In your bio, you said making this album was an organic process, and I wonder if you could walk us through that process, from when you first hooked up with Dallas Austin and how that evolved into this record.
JC: I took some time off because I wanted to spend some time with my family and my friends. I had to hit the reset button for little while. I've been on the road for like seven years, and the guys in the band are my best friends, but there are other people that are important to me as well. Then when [Dallas] was finishing the Drumline [soundtrack], he had one more slot to fill. I really had nothing to do at the time, and he asked me to collaborate with him and write a song for the movie. I wasn't thinking it was going to be a single or anything like that, [but] next thing you know we get a call back from Fox, saying, "We think ["Blowin' Me Up (With Her Love)"] should be the song for the movie." After that, Dallas and the guys that I worked with on the [single] asked me when I was going to do a [solo] record. I hadn't planned on it. I was just going to wait it out and do the next 'N Sync record. But I approached my label and said, "I'm interested in doing a record," and they were really excited. They were really cool about letting me follow my own path, and I'm thankful for that. So basically I just locked myself in the studio for like three months, came up with the bulk of the record, and showed up at the label. In the end, I [made] the record that I like and that I was proud of.
Q: Listening to the album, there are hints of many musical styles, including reggae and rock. Which one do you find best describes your character?
JC: I think the variety is actually what best describes my character. I don't like things to get stale. I think variety is the spice of life. That's why I love my job. That's why I like going to different places, eating different foods, meeting different people, and listening to different kinds of records. One day, I'll listen to the Chili Peppers, the next day I'll listen to ELO, the next day I'll be listen to the Basement Jaxx, and the next day I'll listen to Anita Baker. And I'm fine with that. Some people are afraid of change, but I love it.
Q: In the past year, a lot of performers have resorted to publicity stunts that get more attention than their actual music. What do you think of these stunts?
JC: Some of it's okay and some of it's not. Obviously naked flesh during a halftime show on network television when you've got families watching isn't the right time and place. But then again, the Britney and Madonna kiss...I was like, why not? It was on a cable television show in front of an industry crowd, a rock-'n'-roll crowd. If somebody's open-minded enough to kiss another girl, then so be it. It gets people talking. It's racy. It's sexy and there's no real harm in that. But you definitely have to know the difference between right and wrong.
Q: This is a really horny album. There is a lot of sex in there. Since Justin and Janet's controversial Super Bowl performance, the pop music landscape has changed. Do you anticipate any problems with the acceptance of your music because the tide has turned?
JC: Some people say it's a really horny album. I don't see it that way. There are a million records that have a million songs about sex on them, but not every song on a record is about sex. The funny part is that's just what people have gravitated to. I think it's an election year and everybody is overreacting a little bit. But that's just my opinion. You've got to trust people to make their own decisions about what they want to listen to. It would be a shame to start censoring artists. Some of the greatest songs of all time have sexual innuendos in them, like as far back as Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." And it's not going to go away, so I'm not really shaking in my boots. My whole focus was on making a great record.
Q: Are you hoping that people will find the humor in the record?
JC: When people hear all these [song] titles, it's not like I'm taking myself seriously when I'm singing "All Day Long I Dream About Sex." I mean, give me a break, you know? So yes, I definitely have fun with it. Some of the songs were a goof, but that's what's great about them and some of the songs are serious.
Q: Did you feel any pressure to do a solo record in light Justin's solo success?
JC: Justin's a Grammy Award-winning [artist] now. He's a superstar. There's no question about it. My goal is just to have a successful record, and at the end of the day I can only do what I do. I'm proud of what I've done. Right now, the pressure is more on the record company to create the awareness at this point.
Q: Can you tell the story of the lyrics behind two of your favorite songs on the album?
JC: "Lose Myself" is about ideal love. "Dear Goodbye" is about loss. You know, it's about how people mutually fall out of love, and it's a shame, but it happens. "All Day Long I Dream about Sex" is just a silly anthem -- nothing but good fun. I even wrote a song that was inspired by the movie The Ladies Man because it made me laugh so hard. The song is "One Night Stand." I had a lot of fun making each one of these songs.
Q: You've been involved in so many different aspects of the music industry. Years down the road, do you hope to be remembered as a solo artist, songwriter, producer, or group member?
JC: I guess all of the above. I feel like I'm a great contributor when it comes to being in the group and I feel like I've done something great on my own. And down the road I want to be looked [upon] as somebody who's hard working and talented and has made his own space in the world.
February 13, 2004
From barnesandnoble.com
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
Following J.T.'s Lead, 'N Sync's J.C. Chasez Goes Solo
His fellow boy band buddy Justin Timberlake has moved on to greener pastures with his Grammy-winning solo debut, Justified. Now 'N Sync's equally soulful second banana, J. C. Chasez, steps into the spotlight with the surprisingly eclectic and freaky Schizophrenic, which boasts production by Dallas Austin, Rockwilder, and the Basement Jaxx. Prior to disc's release, the 27-year-old pop star discussed the album, his take on the Janet-Justin controversy, the future of 'N Sync, and more during a round-table discussion with journalists.
Question: What's the significance of the album's title?
JC Chasez: I didn't have a title for the record before I'd finished it. After I put this collection of material together, I had to sit back and figure out how all of it fit together. When I was thinking about it, it was like every song has its own life, its own personality, and they're really different from each other. And whenever you hear about people with schizophrenia, that's just what it is. They have two totally different personalities. So that's how the title came about.
Q: How is Schizophrenic different from 'N Sync's albums, and when will the group reunite?
JC: This record is just a whole different animal. When you're dealing with 'N Sync, you're dealing with a group vision, a collaboration. So there's always compromise involved in that, and this is just an uncompromising effort on my part on making a record. It sounds totally different than what an 'N Sync record would sound like. The other part is, the guys and I are always talking, and we talked about a timeline and when we're going to start being creative. Some time in the late spring we'll start passing ideas back and forth.
Q: In your bio, you said making this album was an organic process, and I wonder if you could walk us through that process, from when you first hooked up with Dallas Austin and how that evolved into this record.
JC: I took some time off because I wanted to spend some time with my family and my friends. I had to hit the reset button for little while. I've been on the road for like seven years, and the guys in the band are my best friends, but there are other people that are important to me as well. Then when [Dallas] was finishing the Drumline [soundtrack], he had one more slot to fill. I really had nothing to do at the time, and he asked me to collaborate with him and write a song for the movie. I wasn't thinking it was going to be a single or anything like that, [but] next thing you know we get a call back from Fox, saying, "We think ["Blowin' Me Up (With Her Love)"] should be the song for the movie." After that, Dallas and the guys that I worked with on the [single] asked me when I was going to do a [solo] record. I hadn't planned on it. I was just going to wait it out and do the next 'N Sync record. But I approached my label and said, "I'm interested in doing a record," and they were really excited. They were really cool about letting me follow my own path, and I'm thankful for that. So basically I just locked myself in the studio for like three months, came up with the bulk of the record, and showed up at the label. In the end, I [made] the record that I like and that I was proud of.
Q: Listening to the album, there are hints of many musical styles, including reggae and rock. Which one do you find best describes your character?
JC: I think the variety is actually what best describes my character. I don't like things to get stale. I think variety is the spice of life. That's why I love my job. That's why I like going to different places, eating different foods, meeting different people, and listening to different kinds of records. One day, I'll listen to the Chili Peppers, the next day I'll listen to ELO, the next day I'll be listen to the Basement Jaxx, and the next day I'll listen to Anita Baker. And I'm fine with that. Some people are afraid of change, but I love it.
Q: In the past year, a lot of performers have resorted to publicity stunts that get more attention than their actual music. What do you think of these stunts?
JC: Some of it's okay and some of it's not. Obviously naked flesh during a halftime show on network television when you've got families watching isn't the right time and place. But then again, the Britney and Madonna kiss...I was like, why not? It was on a cable television show in front of an industry crowd, a rock-'n'-roll crowd. If somebody's open-minded enough to kiss another girl, then so be it. It gets people talking. It's racy. It's sexy and there's no real harm in that. But you definitely have to know the difference between right and wrong.
Q: This is a really horny album. There is a lot of sex in there. Since Justin and Janet's controversial Super Bowl performance, the pop music landscape has changed. Do you anticipate any problems with the acceptance of your music because the tide has turned?
JC: Some people say it's a really horny album. I don't see it that way. There are a million records that have a million songs about sex on them, but not every song on a record is about sex. The funny part is that's just what people have gravitated to. I think it's an election year and everybody is overreacting a little bit. But that's just my opinion. You've got to trust people to make their own decisions about what they want to listen to. It would be a shame to start censoring artists. Some of the greatest songs of all time have sexual innuendos in them, like as far back as Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." And it's not going to go away, so I'm not really shaking in my boots. My whole focus was on making a great record.
Q: Are you hoping that people will find the humor in the record?
JC: When people hear all these [song] titles, it's not like I'm taking myself seriously when I'm singing "All Day Long I Dream About Sex." I mean, give me a break, you know? So yes, I definitely have fun with it. Some of the songs were a goof, but that's what's great about them and some of the songs are serious.
Q: Did you feel any pressure to do a solo record in light Justin's solo success?
JC: Justin's a Grammy Award-winning [artist] now. He's a superstar. There's no question about it. My goal is just to have a successful record, and at the end of the day I can only do what I do. I'm proud of what I've done. Right now, the pressure is more on the record company to create the awareness at this point.
Q: Can you tell the story of the lyrics behind two of your favorite songs on the album?
JC: "Lose Myself" is about ideal love. "Dear Goodbye" is about loss. You know, it's about how people mutually fall out of love, and it's a shame, but it happens. "All Day Long I Dream about Sex" is just a silly anthem -- nothing but good fun. I even wrote a song that was inspired by the movie The Ladies Man because it made me laugh so hard. The song is "One Night Stand." I had a lot of fun making each one of these songs.
Q: You've been involved in so many different aspects of the music industry. Years down the road, do you hope to be remembered as a solo artist, songwriter, producer, or group member?
JC: I guess all of the above. I feel like I'm a great contributor when it comes to being in the group and I feel like I've done something great on my own. And down the road I want to be looked [upon] as somebody who's hard working and talented and has made his own space in the world.
February 13, 2004
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-02-29 09:53 am (UTC)</true believer>
no subject
Date: 2004-02-29 10:04 am (UTC)"Dear Goodbye" is so the Basez breakup song. *snif*
And you've heard what "Right Here By Your Side" is, right? :-D ::runs away::
no subject
Date: 2004-02-29 02:14 pm (UTC)*ducks*